The town came into existence in January
1879, although it is believed the site had been mined by Indians
for turquoise long before the discovery of America. Later, during
the 1600's the Spanish were involved in extensive mining operations
with enslaved Indian labor. With the founding of Carbonateville
several centuries later, the town grew and in 1884 reported a
population of around five hundred. However, by the next year
mining in the district was on the decline and in 1897 only forty
residents remained. Nature has not been kind to the remains of
the town, if indeed, there is anything left of it today.Courtesy
Henry Chenoweth.